Talk: Tommy Douglas

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Tommy Douglas. Canadians have just decided he was the greatest and few can really argue with this selection. My second choice and worthy of much distinction would be Pierre Trudeau.

Tommy Douglas was a tireless courageous worker for social change and fairness in Canada. Much of what my generation and those that have come after take for granted was inspired and/or directly lifted (by political rivals) from his vision for Canada and the betterment of its people.

He can thus be described as a very effective agent of change and after-all only the best politicians and humanitarians ever leave this kind of a legacy.

K.S.

Long Island, New York.

Problems with the article

I am not familiar enough with Douglas to know the correct particulars, though I do recognize some errors..

• The article says he returned to Winnipeg in 1920, however he was there for the Winnipeg General Strike in 1919.

• It says medicare was introduced during his first term, however it was introduced during his last! In fact, though the laws were passed under his administration, they did not take effect until after he had left the premier's office and moved to federal politics

There may well be other errors that I am not familiar with, someone who is more familiar with Douglas ought to repair this. - Jord 17:56, 8 Dec 2004 (UTC)

I'm pretty sure there's a difference between hospital insurance (which the article says was introduced in Douglas's first term, not medicare as you say) and medicare. The first dealt only with hospitalization, the second with all medical care. HistoryBA 16:32, 9 Dec 2004 (UTC)